Wrexham Owner Rob McElhenney Gives Incredible Speech On Running A Football Club And Others Should Take Note
Published
| Last updated
Wrexham owner Rob McElhenney has been applauded for how he views the responsibility of running a football club.
Back in February, after months on ongoing negotiations, Hollywood pair Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney surprised many when they completed their takeover of fifth-tier National League outfit Wrexham A.F.C.
Some fans were understandably wary of the takeover but after taking the reins from the Wrexham Supporters Trust (WST), they quickly promised the club a £2 million investment before making their intentions known.
In an open letter addressed to the fans, they also promised to invest in a permanent training facility, as well as exploring the renovation of the racecourse ground.
Months later and, in an interview with BBC Radio 5 Live, Hollywood actor McElhenney has once again earned plaudits for his views on being an owner.
In the interview, presenter Chris Stark brings up the subject of owners and the "very impassionated" debate on those at the top following the European Super League saga.
He then asks McElhenney if he feels "more of a burden" seeing how the ESL has played out - which brought a perfect response from the American.
Check out the clip below.
McElhenney says: "No, not necessarily and I think a lot of it is because of the approach.
"The word 'owner' as it pertains to a football club, makes no sense to me. I don't understand how I, an American who was born in 1977 in Philadelphia, could own a football club that was born in the middle 1800's in Wrexham, Wales.
"It doesn't make any sense. The way that I approach it is that we are stewards of the club. I like the title 'chairman' much better than I like the title owner because I truly can't own that. The town owns that.
"Our job is to come in as chairmen and to help facilitate the success so that the town can continue to flourish, the team can continue to flourish - and they can have success long after we are gone and there are new chair people that take over."
The 44-year-old's take on being an owner certainly brought plenty of positive reaction from those on social media.
Perhaps it's just words at this point, but this is such a brilliant way to characterise 'owning' a football club. Ashley, Glazers, Kroenke & others should take note. https://t.co/AZpNx5zxBe
- Harry De Cosemo (@harrydecosemo) May 8, 2021
This is exactly how it should be @RMcElhenney is showing all the people who are in football for the wrong reasons exactly how it SHOULD be done
. Hope he gets to enjoy massive success with @Wrexham_AFC and this becomes a blueprint for many more clubs and chairmen. well done sir!
- rob jackson-jones (@robj_j) May 8, 2021
Spot on!
"The town owns the club".
- WorDell (@Its_WorDell) May 8, 2021
Thoughts on Rob McElhenney and his views on the responsibility of running a football club?
Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Wrexham, European Super League, Football, Rob McElhenney
